ICRC Confirms Cambodian Soldiers Held by Thailand Are Safe, Ministry Says

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 16, 2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said Tuesday the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed that 18 Cambodian soldiers detained by Thai forces are safe and in good health, more than four months after their capture.

Spokeswoman Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said senior defence officials met an ICRC delegation in Phnom Penh earlier in the day. The delegation, led by Jürg Montani, head of the ICRC’s regional office, briefed officials on the organization’s fourth visit to the soldiers, who were seized on July 29 following clashes along the frontier.

The arrests came just days after a ceasefire agreement had taken effect, raising tensions between the two countries.

According to the ICRC, all 18 detainees remain in good physical condition. Montani said the organization had also delivered a fourth set of family messages from the soldiers, which will be passed to relatives through the Cambodian Red Cross.

Lt. Gen. Rath Dararoth, representing the ministry, urged the ICRC to continue monitoring the soldiers’ wellbeing and press the Thai military to cease hostilities, withdraw forces from what Cambodia describes as its sovereign territory, and avoid further destabilization.

The ministry reiterated that Cambodian forces have complied fully with the ceasefire and joint declaration agreed with Thailand, and vowed to pursue all channels to secure the soldiers’ release.

“The Royal Government, the Ministry of National Defence and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces will never abandon any of our troops under any circumstances,” the statement said.

The ICRC has not publicly commented beyond confirming its role in monitoring detainees and facilitating family contact.